MEPs weigh in on port rating row (Fiona Hall MEP)

Fiona Hall MEP <info@fionahall.org.uk>

MEPs weigh in on port rating row

January 30, 2009 12:00 AM

Habourmaster Jerry Drewitt, Parliamentary Spokesperson for Redcar Ian Swales, Fiona

The three Liberal Democrat MEPs representing the northern regions of England have written to John Healey MP asking for a rethink on the controversial plans for an increase in rates for ports in the region.

Local Liberal Democrat MEPs, Fiona Hall (North East) and Diana Wallis (Yorkshire and the Humber) have been joined by fellow Lib Dem MEP Chris Davies, (North West) in writing to John Healey.

In the letter, the MEPs point out that trade from the ports could be lost to continental ports such as Rotterdam and that the rate hike could also move freight from sea to air, making global warming worse.

Fiona said: "Competition between ports for European trade is good but the UK Government have just imposed an extra cost on British ports that their continental cousins won't have to pay. At a time when the credit crunch is making life difficult for small businesses, the Government should not be adding to the burden."

"We are concerned that higher charges in UK ports will force more and more goods to be transported by air. International air freight traffic has already increased substantially over the past few years and we don't want this to be encouraged further." Andrew Finfer, the legal adviser to the businesses campaigning for fair port rates, said: "I am grateful to the three MEPs for their letter John Healey in support of the campaign to achieve a fair and equitable solution to the immediate problems facing port occupiers."